HIGH HEELS MAY LEAD TO FOOT INJURIES
Wearing high heels makes the dainty ladies look elegant and tall, but their round the
clock usage has many drawbacks. Standing tall leads to foot pain and foot deformities.
Wearing high heels in one’s 20’s and 30’s is easy to bear, but this leads to various
problems when one reaches 50 years and beyond. The common cause of loss of fat in
the sole of the foot, osteoporosis of bones, etc.
Our feet are designed to produce balance and strength during walking and running even
over uneven surfaces. Wearing high heels alter the biomechanics of the lower limbs
completely, preventing its normal functioning. Thus wearing high heels for short periods
may help the cause to some extent.
The commonly confronted problems are :
Metgatarsalgia :Tight and narrow toe feets increase pressure especially on the ball of
the foot, causing pain – metgatarsalgia. Using high heels causes the pressure on the
constricting area manifold.
Bunions : High heels can cause this painful condition – bunions – a long
protrusion/hump at the ball of the big toe causing deformity wherein great toe moves
towards other toes.
Corns and Calluses :High heels can lead to the formation of corns and calluses. These
are thickened layers of dead skin due to constant friction of shoes on the skin.
Hammer Toes :Wearing high heels also leads to hammer toes wherein the affected toe
curls under, leaving the top to rub against the shoes.
Tendoachilles :This causes pain at the back of the heel. Wearing high heels for
prolonged periods leads to the shortage of calf muscles causing calf pain also.
Stress Fractures and Osteoarthritis : High heels increases the risk of these two
conditions also.
The following measures can help to protect the feet :
Silicon Pads :These can act like a cushion to the feet, help absorb shock and thus
relieve pain. Long pencil heels could make one prone to loose balance. Falling of a high
heel could cause serious injuries like ankle sprain and heel pain. Thick broad small
heels help maintain stability.
Towel Curls : Placing a small towel on the floor and curling it repeatedly using toes.
Big Toe Pulls : Placing a thicker rubber band around both big toes and pull the big toes
away from each other, holding for five seconds, repeating ten times.
Marble Pick Up : Place 20 marbles on the floor. Pick up one marble at a time and put it
in a small bowl while keeping the legs straight without bending the knee. This will help
immensely
Experiencing constant pain in the foot / leg muscles or noticing any deformity should
alter the women wearing high heels constantly. Taking appropriate precautions and
initiating early treatment can avoid life long agony and pain.
-DR. NAVRAJ SINGH SANDHU, www.navraj@gmail.com